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At least 37 patients are in a critical or serious condition in hospitalsMany survivors are now nursing bullet-sized wounds 'The more you run, the more they chase you' victims saySpecies are four times the size of British honeybees

Swarms of deadly hornets have killed more than 40 people and injured more than 1,600 in northern China.

At least 37 patients are in a critical or serious condition in hospitals, according to Shaanxi provincial government.

Victims of the attack have been left with deep, dark craters in their skin the size of bullet wounds.

Over the past three months the cities of Angkang, Hanzhong and Shangluo have been worst affected.

The Chinese term for hornets is 'hu feng' and local experts believe the culprit is the Asian giant hornet or Vespa mandarinia, which grows up to 5cm long with a 6mm sting.

The insects' highly toxic stings can lead to anaphylactic shock and renal failure.

One victim told local media that 'the more you run, the more they want to chase you' and some victims described being chased about 200 metres (656 feet) by the deadly insects.

Authorities have mobilised a special medic team and trained more medical personnel to treat victims.

An Ankang official told Xinhua that firefighters have been removing hornet nests.

The provincial government said hornets are most aggressive in behaviour when they mate and migrate in September and October.

The dry and warm weather this year has contributed to the ferocity of attacks.

One of the victims, named only as Mu, said she has spent two months in a hospital undergoing 13 dialysis treatments.